When Big Time Gaming created ‘Bonanza Megaways’ in 2016, little did they know the monster they were creating. This slot became so popular that the company started applying the Megaways mechanic to more of their online slots. Pretty soon other software companies were approaching them to lease out the ‘Megaways’ concept and apply it to their own slots.
Now there are over one hundred Megaways slots available for you to play. Here you can learn all about the best Megaways slots, where you can play them, and where you can get the best casino sites bonuses.
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What are Megaways Slots?
As we announced in the intro, Big Time Gaming came up with the Megaways concept in 2016, applying it to their popular slot Bonanza. Soon more people than ever were playing ‘Bonanza Megaways’ so they added the Megaways concept to their other popular slots, including Extra Chilli, White Rabbit and Kingmaker.
Other casino slots makers such as Barcrest, Red Tiger and Microgaming noticed how popular Big Time Gaming’s Megaways slots were becoming. They asked Big Time Gaming if they could use the Megaways concept for their own slots, and Big Time Gaming said yes, for a fee.
There are now dozens of slots available at online casinos from multiple providers that have had the Megaways concept applied to them.
How do Megaways Slots work?
Now you know what are Megaways slots you will want to know how they work. The best way to describe how Megaways slots UK work and how they differ from classic video slots is to show an original classic slot and then show the same slot once it has had the Megaways mechanic applied to it.
Here is the original Great Rhino slot, created by Pragmatic Play.
As you can see, this is a fairly normal-looking online slot. It has three rows and five reels, with animal symbols and playing card symbols. It also has two jackpots, ‘grand’ and ‘major’.
Now let’s look at the updated version of the Great Rhino slot that has had the Megaways concept applied to it.
The first and most obvious difference is that the slot now has six reels as opposed to five. In addition, the number of rows varies across each reel. Finally, there is an additional row of symbols across the top of the screen.
There are some cosmetic changes too but these at the moment are nothing to worry about. We will explore below what all these changes mean to the way that this slot now works.
Megaways Slots Features
Not all Megaways slots have the same features exactly, but the key feature that all of them have is the variable reels.
ALL Megaways slots have six reels. Instead of having rows, a random number of symbols will appear on each reel when the reel stop spinning. For most Megaways slots UK, the minimum number of symbols that can appear is two, and the maximum is seven.
This means that the number of paylines per spin is variable too. As you can see from the screenshot of Great Rhino Megaways above, that particular spin generated 25,200 paylines in total. All ways pays when it comes to a Megaways slot, so to get the total number of paylines you just multiple the amount of symbols on each reel, one after the other …
5 x 5 x 3 x 6 x 5 x 5 = 11,250 pay lines
Hold on a minute! How come the slot claims there are 25,200 paylines?
This can be easily answered. Great Rhino has an extra row of symbols across the top of the main screen, over reels 2, 3, 4 and 5. These symbols actually spin sideaways, but they still count towards the final payline count. So, in effect, the four central reels have an extra symbol on them. This means we have to perform some recalculating:
5 x 6 x 4 x 7 x 6 x 5 = 25,200 pay lines
So, there you go, the apparent discrepancy explained! Note, not ALL Megaways slots have this extra row.
The maximum number of paylines in most Megaways slots is 117,649, which is 7^6. Some Megaways slots include the middle row in the maximum paylines calculation, which ups the maximum number to 200,704 (7x8x8x8x8x7), although most Megaways slots stick to the 117,649 payline maximum.
Megaways avalanche feature
Another common feature across all Megaways slots is the avalanche feature. If you’ve played slots like Gonzo’s Quest, the immensely popular NetEnt slot that now even has its own Megaways version, then you will be familiar with this mechanic.
When you complete a win on any spin of a Megaways slot, all the symbols involved in that win (and any win, as it is possible to win more than once on the same spin) are removed from the reels. The other symbols fall down to fill in the gaps and new symbols are added from above to fill the new gaps that are created.
This of course can trigger new Megaways slots UK wins. In some Megaways slots online each successive ‘cascade’ or ‘avalanche’ win may trigger some other game mechanic, such as the increase of a win multiplier, or progression towards the award of a bonus game or feature.
Megaways free/bonus spins feature
One final feature that is common across the majority of Megaways slots is the free or bonus spins feature. Typically, when free spins are awarded all the reels become fully loaded with symbols. This means that free spins are played with the maximum nunber of paylines available.
The Best Megaways Slots to Play
Don’t worry if you cannot decide which Megaways slot you should play, as we are here to help you! Here are what we consider to be the top ten best Megaways slots to have been released.
1. Gonzo’s Quest Megaways (Red Tiger) – RTP 96%
The news that the NetEnt classic Gonzo’s Quest was going to receive the Megaways treatment took most slots lovers by surprise. Surely NetEnt’s number one slot was untouchable? No matter – NetEnt handed development off to their subsidiary Red Tiger and the Gonzo’s Quest Megaways slot was born.
Gonzo fans blew a sigh of relief when they played this title – all the charm of the classic original had been retained, including Gonzo himself with all his mutterings and stylish grooves. This was not just Gonzo’s Quest with Megaways tacked on too – a couple of new features were added including the random ‘Earthquake’ factor which randomly happens and replaces all low-paying symbols with high-paying ones.
A classic slot that’s become a Megaways classic too!
2. Who Wants to be a Millionaire Megaways (Big Time Gaming) – RTP 96.24%
In the UK, we all remember Chris Tarrant sitting in the WWTBAM chair for the classic, unmissable millionaire-making quiz. The show was revived in 2018 with Jeremy Clarkson taking over hosting duties … sadly.
Big Time Gaming brought out their original Who Wants to be a Millionaire game in 2018 and added the Megaways concept to it in 2021. This slot will not make you a millionaire, but it is highly entertaining with the usual Megaways plusses.
The Hot Seat Free Spins Gamble is probably the most rewarding feature, giving a player four options by which they can increase the number of free spins they have earned. You may want to play this slot all by yourself and not ‘phone a friend’ to come and play it with you!
3. Rick & Morty Megaways (Blueprint Gaming) – RTP 96.55% – 97.16%
Just in case you are not aware, Rick & Morty is a wild and ‘for adults only’ cartoon that’s based on the movie ‘Back to the Future’. Alcoholic scientific genius Rick Sanchez and his self-abuse-obsessed 14yo nephew Morty embark on a serious of crazy adventures on alien worlds or in completely different dimensions.
The Ricky & Morty Megaways slot from Blueprint Gaming is just as crazy, with advanced features that are very entertaining. The main feature are the wild free spins, which have different mechanics such as ‘Pickle Rick Free Spins’ (in one episode of R&M, Rick turns himself into a pickle in order to avoid family counselling) where all multipliers increase by one on every cascade win. An entertaining slot even if you have never seen the cartoon that it is based on!
4. Dragon’s Fire Megaways (Red Tiger) – RTP 95.72%
Dragons are a common theme across slots but there is nothing common about this game from Red Tiger. The slot has outstanding graphics and audio that makes it stand proud among all dragon-based slots and Megaways-enabled slots too.
Released in 2019, this slot has a number of generous features. The dragon seems to be of a friendly disposition in this slots game as he can appear at random, breathing fire upon the reels and adding wilds. He may also add a third scatter if two scatters have already appeared, hence triggering the bonus game. When the bonus game is active you have the chance of maxing out your winnings up to the value of 10,000 times your stake!
We hope we’ve given you a burning (geddit?) desire to get into this fiery slot.
5. Fu Fortunes Megaways (iSoftBet) – RTP: 96%
Chinese-themed slots are like Chinese meals – once you have played one half an hour later you want to play another one! The good news with this is that there are over 200 Chinese-themed slots for you to enjoy all across the world wide wagering web, of which Fu Fortunes is a fine example. In terms of Chinese-themed slots that have been given the Megaways makeover, we happen to think that Fu Fortunes is the top dog.
This slot comes with four jackpots, but they are not progessive jackpots. They are prize multipliers that start of with the ‘mini’ jackpot as 20x all the way up to the grand jackpot of 1,000x. Fu Fortunes Megaways comes with everything you would expect of a Chinese-themed slot, with China-inspired graphics and an sublime oriental soundtrack.
6. Bonanza Megaways (Big Time Gaming) – RTP: 96%
You cannot have a top ten list of the best Megaways slots online without mentioning the slot where it all began – Bonanza Megaways! This classic slot may have aged greatly in comparison to many other slots that have been given the Megaways treatment, but it is still perfectly playable, and who doesn’t love a little bit of nostaglia?
Those of a certain vintage may remember the long-running TV series ‘Bonanza’ … well, this slot has absolutely nothing to do with that! This version of Bonanza is set down a mine, and your quest is to unearth both valuable gemstones and top slotting prizes!
The gameplay of this slot may seem a little basic now in the 2020s, but it’s the perfect slot to play if you are brand new to the Megaways concept.
7. Rainbow Riches Megaways (Barcrest) – RTP: 95.9%
Rainbow Riches is, just like Eyecon’s Fluffy Favourites, one of those slots that has become unfathomable popular. This Barcrest classic arrived in 2006 and has gone on the spawn several sequels: Rainbow Riches: Drops of Gold, Rainbow Riches: Cluster Magic, Rainbow Riches: Rainbow Hunter and Rainbow Riches: Jackpot O’Luck to name but four. It was always inevitable that Rainbow Riches would receive the Megaways treatment, and that is just what happened in 2019.
This slot will of course please fans of the original Rainbow Riches series and may gain new fans too. Nothing much has changed from the original Rainbow Riches game, except for the addition of all the usual Megaways features. The gameplay is simple and clear, and the graphics are just what you’d expect from Barcrest. Let’s hope you now stop chasing rainbows in the search of riches and play this game instead!
8. Return of Kong Megaways (Blueprint Gaming) – RTP: 96.5%
There is no monkeying around with this slot (and yes, we know that as King Kong is a gorilla he’s an ape, not a monkey, but that spoils the ‘joke’). King Kong is a movie legend, being the star of films made in 1933, 1962, 1967, 1976, 2005, 2017 and 2021! Here, according to Blueprint Gaming, he is back, although we have no idea where he may have been, other then Hollywood.
In this sumptuous-looking slot Kong seems to be in a very good mood, and he is certainly not fighting dinosaurs or climbing tall buildings clutching screaming ladies. He is here to win you jackpots, and that is made even easier thanks to the Megaways application! This slot has the full Megaways mechanic, maxing out at a possible 117,639 paylines. The main motif of Return of Kong is when the great ape throws barrels onto the reels, so we kind of think this Kong is of the ‘Donkey’ variety and not ‘King’. Why not play this slot and see what you think?
9. Reel King Megaways (Inspired Gaming) – RTP 96.23%
The ‘Reel King’ is one of Inspired Gaming’s most … ahem … inspired slots. It has a purposely retro feel and was made to introduce people to the concept of video slots who are accustomed to ‘classic’ slots or one-armed bandits with three reels and a single payline. These types of slots are also known as ‘fruit machines’ as the most common symbols used are fruits – melons, lemons, plums, cherries and others. Inspired Gaming added playing card symbols and special symbols too.
Now the Megaways concept has been added to Reel King, but that classic retro-look and feel have been maintained. New Megaways slots features have been added though – winning reels can light up to power boost the ‘Reel Kings’ meter. You can step up through the ‘Reel King’, ‘Super King’ and ‘Mega King’ milestones, which will award you up to 25 bonus spins but extra ‘Reel King’ wilds. A classic game with lots of modern advantages!
10. Twin $pin Megaways (NetEnt) – RTP: 96.04%
Top-class Swedish developers NetEnt have given us plenty of classics over the years, including Gonzo’s Quest, Starburst and Aloha! Cluster Pays. While not gaining the same kind of popularity of that trio of NetEnt winners, Twin $pin has always been a welcome sight at online casinos. The most interesting concept with the Twin $pin slot was that with every spin two reels will synchronise so they have the same symbols on every row. Occasionally this synchronisation, would spread to three reels, four reels and even all five!
With Twin $pin Megaways that ‘sychronisation’ concept remains the same, although there are now six rows as opposed to five. If you are in luck the twinned reels will trigger some decent jackpot wins. The slots also has its fair share of wilds and scatters, and at any time you can trigger up to 15 extra spins which will of course bless you with extra benefits. Why not see if you can spin to win with Twin $pin?
Best Megaways Slots List
Here is a quick list of all the best Megaways slots online we have mentioned above, and the most important details about them. If you click on the name of a slot you will be taken through to an online casino where you can play it. Play Megaways slots with the best Megaways slots RTP – 96 percent and above, if you can.
Slot | RTP | Volatility | Developer | Min. Bet | Max. Bet | Max. Win |
Gonzo’s Quest | 96% | Medium to High | Red Tiger | £0.10 | £20.00 | 21,000 coins |
WWTBAM | 96.24% | High | Big Time Gaming | £0.20 | £20.00 | 50,000 coins |
Rick & Morty | 96.55% | High | Blueprint Gaming | £0.10 | £10.00 | 50,000 coins |
Dragon’s Fire | 95.72% | High | Red Tiger | £0.20 | £10.00 | 10,470 coins |
Fu Fortunes | 96.13% | High | iSoftBet | £0.20 | £20.00 | 10,000 coins |
Bonanza | 96% | High | Big Time Gaming | £0.20 | £20.00 | 12,000 coins |
Rainbow Riches | 95.9% | Medium to High | Barcrest | £0.20 | £20.00 | 250,000 coins |
Reel King | 96.23% | Medium | Inspired Gaming | £0.20 | £20.00 | 250,000 coins |
Twin $pin | 96.04% | Medium to High | NetEnt | £0.10 | £200.00 | 250,000 coins |
Megaways Slots RTP
We have mentioned ‘RTP’ a lot when talking about Megaways slots, and you might he wondering what it means. RTP stands for ‘return to player’ and is a measure of how ‘generous’ a slot is when paying out.
Say you began a session playing Gonzo’s Quest Megaways – a slot with one of the best Megaways slots RTP – with £100. As that slot has an RTP of 96 percent, at the end of the session (as long as it is a prolonged one) you should have £96 left.
This is only a theoretical figure. In truth, the more you play the slot, the closer to that return you would have. So, say you started a session with £10,000 and play one million spins, at the end, you’d have close to £9,600.
Because slots are volatile this does not play out in short-term scenarios, but you can increase your chances of coming out on top when playing a slot by playing slots with high RTPs. Megaways slots all tend to have the same range of RTPs, between 95.5 and 96.5 percent, which is reasonably generous. No matter the Megaways slot you choose, you always have a decent chance of winning, plus of course they are very entertaining!
Mobile Megaways Slots
Megaways slots fit perfectly for mobile play. The screen may be a little more cluttered than with, say, 5×3 video slots, but that should not be a problem. Most modern mobile screens will be of sufficient size to see what’s going on with any Megaways slot, no matter how complicated.
There is no difference between the Megaways slot you play on mobile via online casino apps, and the Megaways slot you play on desktop. They will look the same, and the gameplay will be EXACTLY the same.
One thing to remember – for the best Megaways mobile slot experience, make sure you only play when you have a decent internet connection, with 4G being the safe minimum.
Free Megaways Slots
If you are based in the UK, you will not be able to play any Megaways slot for free or in ‘demo mode’. This is a legal stipulation laid down by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission. ALL slots and casino games cannot be played for free or ‘play money’ at any casino with a UKGC licence.
If you not based in the UK then you may be able to play free Megaways slots. It depends on the legality of playing slots and casino games in demo mode, or for play money, or for free in your specific jurisdiction. You can only play Megaways slots for free if your particular jurisdiction allows you to. You will not of course score any Megaways slots big wins by playing for free!
All Action Megaways Slots – What Are They?
‘All Action Megaways Slots’ are a series of slots created by Blueprint Gaming. These are basic slots to which the Megaways concept has been applied but with one twist … these slots do not have a base game. When you play these slots, you are taken straight through to the bonus games. This allows you to play Megaways slots for big cash prizes.
This might sound immediately exciting, but there is one further twist – the lowest bet for these slots is £10! These slots are really only for high rollers but if that describes you then you could be very entertained by these slots and there’s always the chance of a big win.
‘Buffalo Rising All Action Megaways’ was the first slot released in the All Action Megaways series from Blueprint Gaming in 2020, followed by Diamond Mine in 2022.
Summary
Megaways slots have certainly taken the online casino realm by storm. They certainly have the capability of adding an extra dimesion to your online slots playing, and that’s not just becaue they have an extra reel added! They have a common gameplay feel that is entertaining, especially when you win, the symbols fall off the reels and new ones slide in to replace them.
There are now over 100 Megaways slots to play, and our top ten Megaways slots list should give you a great start. Let’s hope you score Megaways slots big wins, but always please remember to gamble responsibly.
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